n.
Pronunciation: ' l ī f
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural lives \ ' l ī vz \
Etymology: Middle English lif, from Old English l ī f; akin to Old English libban to live ― more at LIVE
Date: before 12th century
1 a : the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body b : a principle or force that is considered to underlie the distinctive quality of animate beings c : an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction
2 a : the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual b : one or more aspects of the process of living <sex life of the frog>
3 : BIOGRAPHY 1
4 : spiritual existence transcending physical death
5 a : the period from birth to death b : a specific phase of earthly existence <adult life > c : the period from an event until death <a judge appointed for life > d : a sentence of imprisonment for the remainder of a convict's life
6 : a way or manner of living
7 : LIVELIHOOD
8 : a vital or living being specifically : PERSON <many lives were lost in the disaster>
9 : an animating and shaping force or principle
10 : SPIRIT , ANIMATION <saw no life in her dancing>
11 : the form or pattern of something existing in reality <painted from life >
12 : the period of duration, usefulness, or popularity of something <the expected life of the batteries>
13 : the period of existence (as of a subatomic particle) ― compare HALF-LIFE
14 : a property (as resilience or elasticity) of an inanimate substance or object resembling the animate quality of a living being
15 : living beings (as of a particular kind or environment) <forest life >
16 a : human activities b : animate activity and movement <stirrings of life > c : the activities of a given sphere, area, or time <the political life of the country>
17 : one providing interest and vigor < life of the party>
18 : an opportunity for continued viability <gave the patient a new life >
19 capitalized Christian Science : GOD 1B
20 : something resembling animate life <a grant saved the project's life >